Leveling block theft

[jjson775]

Like most Class B owners, we left our campsite at Miller Riverview Park in Dubuque IA to go into town to eat dinner. When we got back to the campground, someone had stolen 3 yellow leveling blocks we had left in place. We had also left a very nice Welcome mat that they didn't take. Also, when I plugged in, I noticed that they had tried but failed to steal my expensive Progressive Industries surge protector that I had secured with a bicycle lock.

Not the first time we have had things stolen from our site while we were away doing something. Par for the course, but probably a bigger problem for small RV's that don't tow anything. Moral of the story, don't be too trusting.

[Oilman]

1775, I also travel similar to the way you do although I will boondock if at all possible. Suggesting your late arrivals encourage theft is ludicrous.

In another thread the poster that suggested this nonsense talks about when they arrive at a campground at 9-10 pm they will do quick and quiet leveling if necessary. Kinda Funny.

[My_Roadtrek]

Robert, in your blog you say that you often arrive late, set up, then sometimes go to dinner, and return after dark, and then have to go through getting hooked up, and making sure you are perfectly level because you can't sleep if the RV is slightly off. I only meant that this might be upsetting to your neighbors enough that they may have taken your flag, and other things. Just another theory as to why you stuff is disappearing.
Like I said, no one should steal anything from anyone, for any reason, but unfortunately not everyone feels that way.
This all came about from reading your Anderson Levelers blog post, and if you go through all that at night I don't see how you can be very quiet, even though I'm sure you are trying.
If I'm misinterpreting this I apologize.
Anderson Levelers

[1775]

ernie1 wrote:
1775,
We travel and rv the same way you do and I see no reason why anybody should be justified to take the things you left behind because you come back and set up later than others. Or, are we supposed to stay the day and guard our belongs so that somebody who has misinterpreted our intentions doesn't take our things. To think that our actions, which make us victims is plain ridiculous!

Thank you!

[ernie1]

1775,
We travel and rv the same way you do and I see no reason why anybody should be justified to take the things you left behind because you come back and set up later than others. Or, are we supposed to stay the day and guard our belongs so that somebody who has misinterpreted our intentions doesn't take our things. To think that our actions, which make us victims is plain ridiculous!

[1775]

My Roadtrek wrote:
You know Robert, from reading your blog, you don't seem to enjoy RVing. Maybe the reason your not meeting any friendly RVer's has more to do with your attitude than theirs. Unlike you, I have met mostly friendly RVer's, and have had made some lasting friendships. We have had several RVer's stay on our property when they were passing through.
I think the fact that you come into your campsite late at night, do your hook ups, leveling, etc, may be one of the reasons your stuff is disappearing. Something to consider, eh
Oh, and I believe no one has the right to steal anything from anyone, no matter how they may have been provoked.

Yes, we come and go every day. There is no reason to sit in a campground looking at the other RVs around you all day. We arrive mid-day generally at the arrival time set by the campground and wave and smile to others in the campground as we walk around. When we are out each start of the day and do the same. Some wave back, most don't. Generally we are the only Class B in the campground. And when I talk to others that I know with RVs they say pretty much the same thing about all those "happy campers" that are supposed to be out there.

When we come back at night we are quiet and hookup as quickly as possible. If what you seem to be saying is that we are upsetting others traveling the way we do, and the result is that they steal things from our site - that is pretty sad on their part. We are always in before quiet hours start. No one is being provoked. And stealing is wrong no matter what.

As I have said many times - we don't camp. We travel. Our mode of travel is the Class B and we are out to see the areas we visit. If I want to sit under trees I can do that in my own backyard. Everyone does what they like to do - and apparently from this thread we are not the only ones who get stolen from.

[GordonThree]

how about some crime scene tape, or biohazard tape?

Crime Scene

Biohazard

[B-ing]

The easiest and lightest way to mark your site is with a roll of flagging tape that you can buy from a business that caters to the forest industry. They take up no space in your B. They're the size of a large puck. Tie the tape from one side of your site entrance to the other. Use a heavy felt pen to mark your name and check out date. I use a bright pink roll. It won't stop the thieves but they can't say they didn't know.

[omjones]

If you see something left behind, just leave it there and go report it to the proper authorities. Don't remove it and then report it. That way you'll be informed if the site is still paid for, and you won't be a felon.
john 'I am Canadian'

[Sailordive]

In Grand Teton we left 4 leveling blocks for the day and the post had ticket with our checkout date as 2 days further. We did give someone the benefit of the doubt but they were not left at the office.

This year at Acadia someone took our spot. A late check in did not not bother to check the front kiosk for available sites. Since we picked the most level site we were not about give it up. They got a little upset when we made the take their tent and firewood and move on.

[goreds2]

Bob N. wrote:
We had the same experience a number of years ago in Pigeon Forge, TN.
We has left the site, leaving our levelling blocks (home made so easily identified) and leaving a "site occupied" sign on the picnic table. Upon our return our levelling blocks were under the back wheels of a $350,000 class A across the way. I guess it takes all kinds.

How did that conversation start and end? 🙂

[Bob_N_]

We had the same experience a number of years ago in Pigeon Forge, TN.
We has left the site, leaving our levelling blocks (home made so easily identified) and leaving a "site occupied" sign on the picnic table. Upon our return our levelling blocks were under the back wheels of a $350,000 class A across the way. I guess it takes all kinds.

[Davydd]

Some private campgrounds usually have rules about tents though I never had a problem at KOA. Most public campgrounds intermix motorhomes, trailers and tents in the same area. I prefer public campgrounds and putting up a tent and leaving in a car is usually acceptable as many people are off visiting trail heads or taking part in activities. National Forest campgrounds usually don't have a post to indicate occupancy and are self-pay, and leaving behind a tent is the only really visible and for sure method to indicate occupancy even for scavenger thieves.

[jfkmk]

Davydd wrote:
I had a small orange "Occupied" cone taken that had my name on it in big letters. It is amazing what people will take. That was in a high end private campground. Here is a hint, public campgrounds are generally safer when leaving items behind. Private campgrounds with seasonal or permanent occupants I do not trust. I suspect they have a lot of scavengers.

Even something accidentally left behind does not give permission for taking it. People come back for things and the only permissible removal should be by campground staff hopefully with a lost and found bin.

I lost my occupied cone and I lost a mat I was using for a marking spot. I've learned to leave nothing behind from those experiences. If there are no posts for departure date camping receipts I get leery about leaving a campsite when other campers are arriving and never in a self-pay situation. I'm thinking about a cheap sacrificial pup tent for those situations. I've used my large screen tent but wouldn't put it past someone taking it.

Kind of negates the "benefit of a doubt" theory for thieves, doesn't it? Isn't it a real shame people will steal anything? The problem with a sacrificial tent idea is, if they'll steal your cone, why wouldn't they steal a tent? Also, some cg's won't allow you to pitch a tent on a site occupied by a mh, so you'd be putting the tent up and taking it down every time you leave and return.

I usually lock up my grill to a table. Sometimes I feel foolish doing so, but this thread reminds me of why I do it.

[Davydd]

I had a small orange "Occupied" cone taken that had my name on it in big letters. It is amazing what people will take. That was in a high end private campground. Here is a hint, public campgrounds are generally safer when leaving items behind. Private campgrounds with seasonal or permanent occupants I do not trust. I suspect they have a lot of scavengers.

Even something accidentally left behind does not give permission for taking it. People come back for things and the only permissible removal should be by campground staff hopefully with a lost and found bin.

I lost my occupied cone and I lost a mat I was using for a marking spot. I've learned to leave nothing behind from those experiences. If there are no posts for departure date camping receipts I get leery about leaving a campsite when other campers are arriving and never in a self-pay situation. I'm thinking about a cheap sacrificial pup tent for those situations. I've used my large screen tent but wouldn't put it past someone taking it.

[My_Roadtrek]

You know Robert, from reading your blog, you don't seem to enjoy RVing. Maybe the reason your not meeting any friendly RVer's has more to do with your attitude than theirs. Unlike you, I have met mostly friendly RVer's, and have had made some lasting friendships. We have had several RVer's stay on our property when they were passing through.
I think the fact that you come into your campsite late at night, do your hook ups, leveling, etc, may be one of the reasons your stuff is disappearing. Something to consider, eh
Oh, and I believe no one has the right to steal anything from anyone, no matter how they may have been provoked.